Moore, star of '10' and 'Arthur,' dies at 66

Posted: Thursday, March 28, 2002

By Shelia HotchkinAssociated Press

TRENTON, N.J. -- Dudley Moore, the cuddly little Englishman who pined for Bo Derek in ''10'' and portrayed a lovably forlorn drunk in ''Arthur,'' died Wednesday of complications from a rare and incurable brain disorder. He was 66.

The comic actor died at a friend's home in Plainfield of pneumonia stemming from progressive supranuclear palsy, which is similar to Parkinson's disease and affects one of every 100,000 people. He was diagnosed with the disease in 1999.

Before breaking into the movies, the 5-foot-21/2-inch classically trained pianist found success in comedy revues in London and on Broadway as part of a legendary British troupe that also included the surrealist comic talent Peter Cook.

In the 1979 hit movie ''10,'' he played a musician determined to marry a perfect woman, embodied by Derek. His film career peaked in 1981 with the smash ''Arthur,'' in which he played a rich drunk who falls for Liza Minnelli. He was nominated for a best actor Oscar. Co-star John Gielgud, who played Arthur's valet, won the supporting actor Oscar.

''He had a little-boy-lost quality about him, which women loved, and there was always something slightly forlorn about Dudley, even when he was being funny,'' said Michael Parkinson, a British talk-show host. ''He was a lovely man.''

In a statement, Minnelli said: ''I am deeply saddened by the death of my dear friend, Dudley Moore. He was a unique individual that was multitalented. He could make the world laugh and brought joy to millions. I will miss him dearly.''